There have been some major disasters in Alaska’s history, and like most disasters, they are hard to forget. Some of these tragedies happened almost 100 years ago while others were as recent as this year. Of course, you probably know about the big ones like the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill or the 1964 Earthquake, but some of these disasters are lesser known though just as tragic.
- The Whaling Disaster of 1871
Wikipedia This disaster is from way back but it was still a big disaster, especially for the whaling industry at the time. 33 American whaling ships became trapped in the deadly Arctic ice and were abandoned to save the lives of the crew.
- 1995 Alaska Boeing E-3 Sentry Accident
Wikipedia A disaster and a tragedy, the 1995 Alaska Boeing E-3 Sentry accident took the lives of 24 passengers after both engines failed due to birds colliding into the plane after take off.
- Prudhoe Bay Oil Spill
Wikipedia The Prudhoe Bay oil spill in 2006 is a well known disaster to almost all Alaskans. The five day leak amounted to 267,000 gallons of crude oil.
- 2015 Alaska Sockeye Wildfire
U.S. Department of Agriculture | Flickr The 2015 Alaska Sockeye wildfire is a much more recent disaster that puts 2015 into the position of the worst wildfire year on record, burning over 5.1 million acres of Alaskan wilderness.
- 1952 Mount Gannett C-124 Crash
Wikipedia Bad weather caused the US Air Force Douglas C-124 to crash into the side of Mount Gannett in 1952, claiming the lives of 52 people on board.
- Farallon Steamship Disaster
Wikipedia Many of you know the Cook Inlet well, but did you know that in 1910, a wooden Alaskan Steamship, the S.S. Farallon, hit the reef and forced the crew to survive the brutal mid-winter climate for 29 days!?
- 1964 Alaskan Earthquake
Wikipedia Also known as the Good Friday Earthquake, this is one of Alaska’s most prominent disasters. Did you know that Earthquake Park in Anchorage used to be a very well-to-do neighborhood that lost over 75 homes in the landslide caused by the earthquake?
- 2010 Alaska C-17 Crash
Wikipedia In 2010, a U.S. Air Force military plane crashed at the Elmendorf Airforce Base while practicing for the well-known Arctic Thunder Air Show. Four crew members died in the crash.
Which one of thee events do you remember most? What other horrifying disasters would you add to this list?
Wikipedia
This disaster is from way back but it was still a big disaster, especially for the whaling industry at the time. 33 American whaling ships became trapped in the deadly Arctic ice and were abandoned to save the lives of the crew.
A disaster and a tragedy, the 1995 Alaska Boeing E-3 Sentry accident took the lives of 24 passengers after both engines failed due to birds colliding into the plane after take off.
The Prudhoe Bay oil spill in 2006 is a well known disaster to almost all Alaskans. The five day leak amounted to 267,000 gallons of crude oil.
U.S. Department of Agriculture | Flickr
The 2015 Alaska Sockeye wildfire is a much more recent disaster that puts 2015 into the position of the worst wildfire year on record, burning over 5.1 million acres of Alaskan wilderness.
Bad weather caused the US Air Force Douglas C-124 to crash into the side of Mount Gannett in 1952, claiming the lives of 52 people on board.
Many of you know the Cook Inlet well, but did you know that in 1910, a wooden Alaskan Steamship, the S.S. Farallon, hit the reef and forced the crew to survive the brutal mid-winter climate for 29 days!?
Also known as the Good Friday Earthquake, this is one of Alaska’s most prominent disasters. Did you know that Earthquake Park in Anchorage used to be a very well-to-do neighborhood that lost over 75 homes in the landslide caused by the earthquake?
In 2010, a U.S. Air Force military plane crashed at the Elmendorf Airforce Base while practicing for the well-known Arctic Thunder Air Show. Four crew members died in the crash.
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